Identifying and ordering the conveyor best suited to specific needs quickly and intuitively: this is the goal of the new FlexLink Online Store. FlexLink is a leader in the design and manufacture of automation and material handling systems for industries such as FMCG, pharma, automotive, tissue, and optical.
An automated and efficient transport system has a direct impact on two key indicators for any production line:
- OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
- TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
In the FMCG, pharma, automotive, tissue, and optical sectors, material handling significantly affect energy consumption and operating costs. The adoption of efficient motors and drives, or the selection of appropriate conveyor systems, can reduce electricity consumption by up to 20–25 percent, with tangible benefits also in terms of component wear and scheduled maintenance. (*)
FlexLink’s Online Store has been designed to help industrial customers identify the material handling solution that best fits their specific requirements.
A guided process to find the best solution
The platform follows a structured, step-by-step approach. Once the reference industry has been identified, users are asked what type of product needs to be conveyed. The system then collects key physical characteristics (material, weight, dimensions, sensitivity to contamination) and considers the production environment in which the system will operate (wet, dry, with the presence of oils, or in a clean room).
Based on this information, the Online Store suggests the most suitable platforms, conveyor types, design variants, and required accessories. Customers do not need to browse through dozens of components: the platform proposes a configuration already aligned with the production requirements, reducing time, risk of errors, and technical complexity.
Two integrated levels to guide configuration
The platform operates on two integrated levels. The first helps customers identify the correct solution based on application criteria. The second, more technical level allows users to define quantities, component families, variants, and accessories, all the way through to requesting a quotation or confirming an order. Everything takes place directly online through a web interface designed to combine ease of use with technical consistency.
Advanced digital tools to support design
The Online Store integrates a three-dimensional configurator that updates the visualization of the conveyor system in real time and enables a fast transition to quotation requests or order placement. The digital experience is aligned with FlexLink’s commercial processes and helps streamline the design phase, supporting faster, consistent, and technically sound decisions.
(*) Source: Australian Government – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, “Energy Efficiency in Food and Beverage Manufacturing” (2023). ABB, “Improving energy efficiency in the food and beverage industry” (white paper).
